Cambodia has tightened security on the eve of the new parliament’s opening session scheduled on Monday as the opposition says it will boycott the session unless the ruling party agrees to an independent probe of the disputed July 28 election results.

Security forces have seen stationed along streets in the city with barbed wire barricades being used to block roads surrounding key government’s buildings, the Royal Palace, and the National Assembly.

"Thousands of armed forces have been deployed to ensure security and public order because it will be the historical day for Cambodia on Monday–a new parliament and a new government for the fifth legislature will be formed," National Military Police spokesman Kheng Tito told Xinhua on Sunday.

"According to the City Hall, protests are not allowed during these days," he said, adding that military police have routinely conducted patrol and search for weapons and explosives among passengers at nights.

The country held a general election on July 28. The official results showed that the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) of long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen won 68 out of the 123 parliamentary seats, and the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of long-time opposition leader Sam Rainsy got 55 seats.

The CNRP rejected the results, claiming serious vote fraud and demanding the formation of an independent poll probe committee, but the CPP rejected the request, saying the move was against the country’s constitution and the election results were already ratified.

King Norodom Sihamoni last week invited all the 123 elected lawmakers to attend the opening session of the parliament, but Sam Rainsy announced on Friday that the CNRP would not attend the session if no appropriate solution to the alleged poll irregularities was found. He also warned another mass protest.

On Sunday morning, all the CNRP’s elected lawmakers took an oath at the Angkor Wat temple in northwestern Siem Reap province, vowing not to join the parliament’s opening session on Monday.

The leaders of the two parties had held two rounds of talks earlier this week, aiming at finding a way to break through the political impasse, but failed to reach any major agreement.

Hun Sen has said that his party has enough lawmakers to override any opposition parliamentary boycott and form a new government.

He said, according to the constitution, a new government would be formed by a 50 percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers, in the new parliament.

THX. 21 September, 8:00 p.m The 63 (55 officially elected + 8 most recent victims of election irregularities) National Assembly candidates from the CNRP are now gathered in Siem Reap City where they will attend several events including a seminar on strategies to implement structural reforms. They will be back in Phnom Penh on September 24.

Cảnh sát giải tán cuộc tuyệt thực của Hoàng thân Thomico:

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 21 (Xinhua) — Several hundreds of military police officers ejected Prince Sisowath Thomico, a senior member of the opposition party, from the historical Wat Phnom site late Friday night, where he was holding a hunger strike.
"Prince Thomico and over a dozen of citizens and Buddhist monks were forcefully expelled from the site at 10:45 p.m. at Friday night," Prince Sisowath Chakrinupol, who accompanied Thomico during the strike, told Xinhua by telephone on Saturday. "We were meditating at the site, but they did not allow."
Thomico, the cousin of King Norodom Sihamoni, began his hunger strike on Friday morning, calling for a political solution over the contested July 28 election results that gave victory to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling party.
The prince ran as an opposition party’s parliamentary candidate for Southwestern Preah Sihanouk province in the July 28 election, but failed to win a seat.
The official election results showed that the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) of Hun Sen won 68 out of the 123 parliamentary seats, and the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of Sam Rainsy got 55 seats.
The CNRP rejected the results, claiming serious vote fraud and demanding the formation of an independent poll probe committee, but the CPP rejected the request, saying the move was against the country’s constitution and the election results were already ratified.
King Norodom Sihamoni last week invited all the 123 elected lawmakers to attend the opening session of the parliament on Sept. 23, but Sam Rainsy announced on Friday that the CNRP would not attend the session if there was not an appropriate solution to the alleged poll irregularities.

Tin Từ hãng tin Chính phủ AKP

Quốc vương đề cử Samdach Hun Sen làm Thủ tướng nhậm kỳ khoá V và trao quyền lập danh sách nội các trình QH phê chuẩn:
Samdech Techo Hun Sen Nominated Prime Minister of Cambodia for the New Mandate
AKP Phnom Penh, September 23, 2013 –
Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Vice President of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) was officially nominated by His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, as the Prime Minister for another mandate.
According to a royal decree signed by His Majesty the King this morning, Samdech Techo Hun Sen has a duty to propose the new government members to demand a vote of confidence from the National Assembly.
Following on the same day, Samdech Techo Hun Sen expressed his profound thanks to His Majesty for the appointment based on the request of CPP that won the July 28, 2013 National Election.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen also vowed to do his best to bring more development and prosperity to the country.

Khai mạc kỳ họ thứ nhất, QH khoá V:
First NA Session of the 5th Legislature Kicks Off
AKP Phnom Penh, September 23, 2013 –
The first session of the 5th legislature of the National Assembly (NA) born from the 2013 National Election was officially opened here this morning under the presidency of His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, even though the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) boycotted the event.
Foreign ambassadors to Cambodia and representatives of international organizations were also present on the occasion.
Addressing to the opening ceremony, the monarch congratulated the newly-elected lawmakers and expressed his optimism that the 5th legislature of the NA will fulfill its duties successfully for the supreme benefit of the people and the nation.
His Majesty the King also called for high national unity and solidarity based on the democratic principles and the rule of law being implemented since 1993.
After his opening speech, the King and all the 68 newly-elected lawmakers and the foreign ambassadors present at the official opening ceremony took a photo session.
Speaking at a press conference 22/9 H.E. Keo Remy said the opening ceremony of the first NA session did not need a quorum of 123 lawmakers as mentioned CNRP. He further explained that there was no political stalemate since the amendment of the Constitution in 2006, according to which the formation of a new government requires the 50-percent plus one majority, or 63 lawmakers in the new National Assembly.
Nghị sự: According to the schedule, the newly-elected lawmakers will attend the swearing ceremony at the Royal Palace this afternoon, after they decide the validity of each member’s mandate and adopt the NA’s internal regulation for the fifth legislature. The structure of the NA and the new government will be decided tomorrow.
Kết quả bầu cử: According to the official election results, the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) won 3.23 million votes, or 68 of the 123 seats at the NA, while the CNRP got 2.9 million votes or the remaining 55 seats.
Thống kê tuổi và giới: Among the 123 newly-elected lawmakers, the eldest one is Samdech Heng Samrin, CPP Honorary President, with the age of 79, followed by H.E. Keat Chhon and H.E. Hor Namhong, CPP senior members, and H.E. Pen Sovann, senior member of CNRP, with the age of 78, 77 and 77 respectively.
The youngest new lawmakers are H.E. Hun Many and H.E. Sar Sokha from CPP and H.E. Kang Kim Hak from CNRP, with 30, 32 and 33 years of age respectively.
Moreover, 25 out of 123 are female lawmakers, of them 18 are CPP members, while the rest are from CNRP.
—
QUỐC VƯƠNG TIẾP KHÁCH NƯỚC NGOÀI
King Norodom Sihamoni Grants Royal Audience to French Ambassador
AKP Phnom Penh, September 23, 2013 —
His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, granted a royal audience to Ambassador of France to Cambodia H.E. Serge Mostura at the Royal Palace on Sept. 21, according to the National Television of Cambodia (TVK).
His Majesty the King gave a warm welcome to the presence of H.E. Serge Mostura to fulfill the diplomatic mission in Cambodia after he presented his credential to Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim, Acting Head of State, on Mar. 21, 2013.
The French diplomat told the Cambodian monarch that the French government would continue strengthening the friendship and cooperation in all sectors with Cambodia. He also pledged to make the tie of connection and friendship between the two countries stronger during his ambassadorial mission.
His Majesty the King expressed his profound gratitude to France for having assisted Cambodia and also hoped that the relationship and friendship between the two nations would be doubly enhanced.
On the following day, the Cambodian monarch received a visiting delegation of Chinese investors led by Mr. Lu Junqing, Chairman of the World Eminent Chinese Business Association.
On the occasion, Mr. Lu Junqing offered the King 100 tons of milled rice as contribution to his humanitarian activities.
—
THỦ TƯỚNG HUN SEN CAM KẾT THÚC ĐẨY HOÀ BÌNH NHÂN NGÀY QUỐC TẾ VÌ HOÀ BÌNH 21-9
PM Expresses Cambodia’s Commitment to Peace Promotion
AKP Phnom Penh, September 22, 2013 –
Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen has expressed Cambodia’s commitment to peace defense and promotion, and reminded the value of peace to the Cambodian people.
“The celebration of the International Day of Peace (Sept. 21) does not only reflect the Cambodian people’s strong will to defend and promote peace, but it is also an opportunity to remind the necessity of strengthening solidarity, unity and cooperation with other peoples all over the world to maintain peace, which is an indispensable key for each country’s development and progress,” underlined Samdech Techo Hun Sen in his message to his compatriots on the 11th International Day of Peace.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen also highlighted the importance of peace in the country’s socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. Cambodia achieved an economic growth of an average of 11.1 percent from 2004-2007, then 6 percent in 2010, 7.1 percent in 2011, 7.3 percent in 2012, and the figure is expected to reach 7.6 percent in 2013, he pointed out.
The poverty rate decreased dramatically from 50 percent in 1992 to 20 percent in 2012, and it will go down to 19 percent in 2013, while the GDP per capita increased from US$760 in 2008 to almost US$1,000 in 2012, and it would be some US$1,036 in 2013, he added.
Samdech Techo Hun Sen thus called on the Cambodian people to enhance the culture of non violence, patience and tolerance so as to maintain peace, stability and social order. “This will also contribute to the regional and world peace,” he said.
In addition, the Cambodian premier laid stress on the country’s active role in contribution to defending and promoting the world peace. Cambodia has signed the UN Arms Trade Treaty, become party to many international treaties and conventions on arms race reduction, and sent its forces to join the UN peacekeeping missions in South Sudan, Chad, Central Africa, Syria, Lebanon, and the country was ready to send more forces to Mali in the near future. Moreover, Cambodia and other ASEAN member countries have been pushing the five nuclear super power countries to sign the Protocol to the Treaty on the Southeast Asia Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone.
PHÓ THỦ TƯỚNG SOK AN TIẾP NGUYÊN NGOẠI TRƯỞNG THÁI LAN – CHỦ TỊCH HỘI ĐỒNG HOÀ BÌNH VÀ HOÀ GIẢI CHÂU Á VỀ VẤN ĐỀ GIẢI QUYẾT TRANH CHẤP BIỂN ĐÔNG
DPM Sok An Receives Foreign Guests
AKP Phnom Penh, September 21, 2013 –
Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in charge of the Office of the Council of Ministers (OCM) H.E. Sok An received here on Friday visiting H.E. SurakiartSathirathai, Founding Chairman of the Asian Peace and Reconciliation Council (APRC), according to the OCM’s Press and Quick Reaction Unit.
On the occasion, H.E. Surakiart Sathirathai, who is former Deputy Prime Minister and former Foreign Minister of Thailand, said that APRC’s objective is to assist governments and societies in Asia to identify peaceful means of resolving conflicts and reconciling differences.
APRC is seeking ways on how to play a role in contributing to the solution of the South China Sea issue, he added.
In reply, H.E. Sok An welcomed the APRC’s will to contribute to finding solutions to the South China Sea issue, and informed him of Cambodia’s political situation, especially concerning the July election.
APRC is an independent, international and non-governmental body. It is founded on the principles of inclusiveness, non-interference and consent. It operates on the basis of silent diplomacy and the individual and collective good offices of its members.
On the same day, the Cambodian DPM also met with H.E. George Yeo, former Singaporean Foreign Minister.
In the meeting, H.E. Sok An explained his guest in a great detail about the overall electoral process in July in which national and international observers have expressed their support for the election results.
He also assured the visiting former Singaporean foreign minister that Cambodia has no post-election political deadlock, stressing that “Cambodia expects to have a new government in place by Sept. 24.”
In response, H.E. George Yeo said that a new Cambodian Government will continue to develop the country and that this post-electoral crisis will pass

XÃ HỘI
HAI TUẦN LỄ CÚNG HỒN – Kan Ben Festival Begins
AKP Phnom Penh, September 21, 2013 –
The two-week Kan Ben Festival began yesterday throughout the country.
As usual, Cambodian people go to pagodas to offer foodstuff to the monks. They believe that the monks will then convey the offering to their late ancestors.
Kan Ben is part of “Pchum Ben” Festival or the Festival for the Dead, one of the biggest festivals in Buddhism. This religious festival, which falls on the fifteenth day of Kan Ben, is to celebrate this year on Oct. 4.

THỨ SÁU 20-9
Ministry of Interior Informs Local Authorities of the Current Situation
AKP Phnom Penh, September 20, 2013 –
Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior instructed local authorities at all levels to inform urgently people of the real current situation and to call on people to remain calm for social stability and normal lives, according to an instruction signed on Sept. 19 by H.E. Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior.
The main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) violated the peaceful demonstration law and its own agreement with the Phnom Penh Municipality by conducting a three-day mass demonstration (from Sept. 15 to 17) and by marching in many other places outside the Democratic Park, which led to state and private property destruction, and to violent clashes, leaving one dead and several injured, it said.
Any election-related complaints have been settled in conformity with existing legal procedures and by legal institutions, therefore any protest against the official election results by CNRP would not relieve the current national situation, said the instruction, underlining that the top level talks between the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and CNRP have been resolving the remaining problems so that the first session of the 5th legislature of the National Assembly to be held on Sept. 23 under the chairmanship of His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, will go smoothly and as scheduled.
Based on the aforementioned situation and in order to maintain security and social stability, the Ministry of Interior advised local authorities at all levels to educate and disseminate the real current situation to the local people and to ask them to continue to be patient and calm.
The Ministry of Interior also urged local authorities to take strict measures to prevent any incitement to create social chaos.

ĐỐI NGOẠI
TRIỂN LÃM HỘI ĐÈN LỒNG
Cambodia-China Lantern Expo Kicks Off
AKP Phnom Penh, September 20, 2013 –
The Cambodia-China Lantern Expo kicked off here yesterday evening at Koh Pich Convention and Exhibition Center under the presidency of Cambodian Senate President Samdech Akka Moha Thamma Pothisal Chea Sim.
The purpose of this one-month long expo is to contribute to further strengthening the ties of friendship between Cambodia and China, especially to mark the 55thanniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both countries and the Cambodia-China Friendship Year, said Okhna Cao Yunder, Board Chairman of Khmer First Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd.
The event is also aimed at exchanging the two countries’ tremendous culture and tradition, he added.
Organized by Khmer First Investment Holding Group Co., Ltd. in collaboration with Cambodia’s Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Phnom Penh Municipality, andKoh Pich Convention and Exhibition Center, this first ever Lantern Expo is expected to attract from 10,000 to 20,000 visitors a day.
By Thach Phanarong

At 10.30pm last night 22/9/13 police and thugs hired by the CPP violently cracked down hunger strikers, mostly women, resulting in many wounded which required hospitalisation, including a foreign human rights observer who was shot in the chest by a slingshot bullet.. hospitalised after being wounded by police crack down last night 22/9/13 . Riot polices and thugs hired by the ruling CPP are deployed now to crackdown Boeng Kak residents’ hunger strike at Wat Phnom. 75 year-0ld Ngeth Khoun, become unconscious and wounded in the chest during the crack down. A foreigner who is a human right observer hit by a slingshot bullet at Wat Phnom where he was observing the strikers there about a moment ago. People may know who did it. Prak Chan Thul: At least 3 journo’s shocked w electric prods at Wat Phnom crackdown; one Post journalist’s camera smashed. Si Heap, the mother of Boeung Kak activist Tep Vanny, is treated at Calmette hospital after she was shot in the head with a marble at Wat Phnom late last nigh Si Heap, the mother of Boeung Kak activist Tep Vanny, is treated at she was shot in the ..
IN A brutal show of force, dozens of police and thugs dressed in civilian clothes descended on a peaceful vigil at Wat Phnom last night, and set upon the roughly 20 protesters with slingshots, batons and electric prods.
At least six people were injured, while an additional five were treated at Calmette Hospital for slight wounds. An unknown number of people – journalists and rights workers among them – sustained injuries from electric prods and marbles fired from slingshots by men in facemasks who appeared to be under police protection.. The forces arrived at about 10pm last night, just as the protesters were clearing up the area where they had staged a demonstration for peace – spelling out the word “justice” with candles… Video..
Several witnesses said the group appeared to be intent on catching high-profile activist Tep Vanny, who ran into a car when the clash began and was allowed through the gates of the US Embassy – only after the windows of the car had been smashed in by the attackers. Her mother, Si Heap, was among those badly wounded after a longan-sized marble was slung between her eyes.
Also seriously injured was activist Nhet Khun, 73, who was shot in the chest with a marble ( ĐẠN BẮN BI ĐÁ) and may have suffered a lung injury, according to witnesses at Calmette. Doctors were not immediately available for comment.
“The police arrived with [electric prods] and ran after me and my friend and began kicking him,” said Phan Chunreth, who sustained a head injury after being kicked to the ground by police. “It was the police who did that, but the other men came at us with sticks.”
As journalists and human rights workers approached the scene shortly after 10pm, thugs armed with electric batons, sticks and slingshots chased them down the street while police looked on. Several journalists and rights workers were shocked with the electric prods and hit with marbles as they ran away, while a Post journalist had his camera smashed.
According to Chorvy, a US Embassy vehicle attempted to enter the area but was forced to turn around by police.

Dấu hiệu cảnh sát tránh bạo động: Stunning as the brutality was, however, a marked lack of police presence chilled many. Unlike at the incidents at Stung Meanchey and the Kbal Thnal overpass, few – if any – officers were sent to the scene after violence broke out.

BÌNH LUẬN
AFP 22-9 Suy Se: CPC đi đâu về đâu?:

PHNOM PENH (AFP) – Despite mass protests, accusations of rigged elections, a brief hunger strike by a prince and a threatened boycott of parliament by his rivals, Cambodia’s long-ruling strongman Hun Sen remains firmly in control.
But after his worst poll result in 15 years and a series of demonstrations drawing tens of thousands of people, experts say the former Khmer Rouge fighter-turned-premier must now realise that something has to change.
"Hun Sen got a huge kick — a huge wake-up call — during the election," said Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights.
"So I think Hun Sen is getting the message that people are not happy with the way he runs the country."
Three days of demonstrations descended into violence earlier this month when a protester was shot dead as security forces clashed with a stone-throwing crowd.
Cambodia’s political crisis faces a crucial juncture this week with the opposition set to boycott parliament when it convenes on Monday unless Hun Sen agrees to its demand for an independent probe into the disputed July polls.
Several rounds of talks between Hun Sen and opposition leader Sam Rainsy over the past week failed to break the deadlock, raising fears of a protracted dispute and further mass protests.
The two sides agreed to seek a non-violent solution to the impasse and made a vague pledge to set up a mechanism to bring about election reform.
The key demand of the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) is for an independent "truth committee" to investigate Hun Sen’s controversial election victory. On that, the premier has refused to budge.
The crisis took a new twist on Friday when a pro-opposition Cambodian prince — the cousin of King Norodom Sihamoni — went on hunger strike in protest at Hun Sen’s contested win, demanding "justice for voters".
His protest ended Saturday after military police expelled him from the pagoda where he was holding the hunger strike.
Experts say that ultimately the emergence of a more vocal and emboldened opposition should be positive for a country that has been run almost single-handedly by Hun Sen for 28 years.
"We’re moving towards a two-party system, which is good for the country, for a healthy democracy," said independent analyst Lao Mong Hay, a former researcher for the Asian Human Rights Commission.
According to official results of the July election, the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) won 68 seats against 55 for the CNRP.
The opposition has rejected the tally, alleging widespread vote irregularities.
The CNRP has warned of further protests unless Hun Sen agrees to its demands, which also include an overhaul of the National Election Committee.
The question now, say experts, is how much ground Hun Sen will be willing to cede to the opposition, and how his rivals will use their new-found political clout.
"The natural role of the opposition in Cambodia in the past has been defensive, the role of a victim, impulsive and not very disciplined," said Jackson Cox, an analyst with the consultancy firm Woodmont International.
"They should and must demonstrate they are not the opposition party of the past. They have to act proactively."
The CNRP faces a dilemma — if it refuses to compromise it risks losing its voice in parliament.
But if it strikes a deal with Hun Sen that leaves the strongman in power, then it could face a backlash from its supporters who appear hungry for change.
"I want justice because people voted for CNRP," said opposition supporter Hok Rim, 32. "If there’s no solution, I’m ready to join more protests."
From land-grab protests to strikes in the key garment sector, public discontent shows that Hun Sen can no longer rely on his image as a liberator from the horrors of the Khmer Rouge to underpin support, experts say.
Hun Sen is a former Khmer Rouge cadre who defected and oversaw Cambodia’s rise from the ashes of war. His government is regularly accused of ignoring human rights and suppressing political dissent.
While garment exports and tourism have brought double-digit economic growth, Cambodia remains one of the world’s poorest countries, and younger Cambodians are also increasingly intolerant of endemic corruption.
But experts say the 61-year-old premier — who has vowed to rule until he is 74 — is unlikely to relinquish his grip of power yet.
"Hun Sen will want to take the moral high ground and appear to be cooperating in the interest of national unity and reconciliation," said Carl Thayer, professor at the University of New South Wales in Australia.
"But he will not let political reforms undermine the basis of his power."
—
BÌNH LUẬN CỦA KHMERIZATION – PHÂN TÍCH NHÂN VẬT
CPC có thể dân chủ hoá không?

Hun Sen has the habit of pointing an accusing finger at his rivals and opponents. Cambodia’s present political crisis and dilemma can be seen in these two foremost political personalities in the picture above. The man to the left had left his family to join an armed guerrilla movement in the jungle of Cambodia as a teenager, whilst the man to the right had also left his homeland at the age of sixteen for family reasons [his father – Sam Sary – had been executed, allegedly on Sihanouk's order] and to pursue his education in France. By the time the invading Vietnamese installed their client regime in Cambodia in 1979, Hun Sen had been appointed the regime’s Foreign Minister at the age of 27 with little grasp of either international diplomacy or how to run the war-torn country’s economy. One of his first trips overseas as FM had been to the UN in New York pleading for international recognition and the UN’s Cambodian seat for his Vietnamese sponsored administration, a mission in which his delegation had met with complete failure whilst many countries, including many of those in South East Asia, now Asean members as well as most Western governments, opted to have the seat occupied by the KR led anti-Vietnamese resistance coalition government instead. Trained and indoctrinated in the jungle school of real politik and, battled hardened by the brutalities of the battle fields of the country, the Vietnamese had little qualms in treating him as one of their own. Like so many part physically disabled people [he lost an eye during his war years] who experience handicaps in life and, facing restricted scope of movement and therefore forcing themselves to make the best of remaining potentials and abilities, Hun Sen has been applying himself to doing what he knows best, which was denying rival factions political terrains already made safe and put on a platter for him by Vietnamese forces and, shortly before, by Pol Pot’s Democratic Kampuchea; a regime which he had first joined as a sixteen-seventeen year-old and helped to power in 1975.

Rainsy on the other hand, by most reliable accounts had been a brilliant economist and financier in his adopted country – France – and despite his successful career had chosen to join Sihanouk’s Funcinpec when that faction was formed by the latter to reject Vietnam’s occupation of Cambodia in the early 1980s. Still a young man, Rainsy was appointed Finance Minister when Funcinpec narrowly won the country’s first more or less real democratic election under UN supervision in 1993. One of his memorable assignments as Finance Minister was chasing tax evaders by boat! For this and many other outspoken actions Rainsy quickly earned his reputation as a "maverick" which is ‘fair’, especially, in the Cambodian culture of hierarchy, patronage and passive compliance, but probably misplaced and unwarranted in the French spirit of free citizens and within the western philosophy of the questioning individual. Rainsy, nevertheless, considering or in spite of the odds of what he was up against in terms of the task of clearing much of that dead wood of backhand corruption/patronage and commonplace institutional incompetence, won much acclaim from international bodies and observers. I believe he was voted the best Finance Minister during that brief post by at least one prominent Asian opinion institution at that time. I have no doubt that Cambodia’s economic life, and by extension, the life of ordinary Cambodians most of whom are still struggling to survive today, would have been far better improved than it has been up to now had he been allowed to remain in the same post since 1993, or at the helm of overseeing state affairs. It was no big deal that France has lost one of her most precocious talents as that country has so many talents anyway. But it is nothing short of tragic that talent/ human resource starved post-war Cambodia has been prevented from utilising to the full this exceptional and substantial asset, and it is largely thanks to the ingrained small mind and distorted vision of a former KR recruit who still thinks and acts as though he is still entrapped in an army bunker – School of Vice

CAMBODIA HAS come a long way since the late 1970s, when the fanatical Khmer Rouge regime killed nearly 2 million of its own people. The country has enjoyed relative stability in recent years, aided by an economic growth rate that averaged nearly 10 percent annually between 1998 and 2008. Though Cambodian per-capita income is still among the lowest in Asia at only $1,000, the country has more than halved the share of its population living below the poverty line since 2007, according to the World Bank. The mortality rate of children under 5 years old has declined by two-thirds since 1998.

What Cambodia still lacks, however, is democracy. More than half of its resurgent population of 15 million is under 23, and the only ruler these Cambodians have known is Hun Sen, who rose to power in 1985 with the backing of Vietnam, which was occupying the country after ousting the Khmer Rouge. Though gentle by comparison with the Khmer Rouge — and still residually popular among beneficiaries of the country’s economic progress — Hun Sen is basically a dictator who relies on force, cronyism, electoral manipulation and external sponsorship to maintain power.

True, his foreign patron has changed over the past 28 years. Now it’s China, which uses military aid and economic investment to buy influence in Phnom Penh, as it once did in Burma. And just as they did for Burma’s military rulers, Chinese weapons and money have helped Hun Sen to fend off demands for greater freedom and political participation, whether they come from his own people or the United States and other Western nations.

That may be changing. Fueled by youth support, a democratic opposition party led by veteran activist Sam Rainsy stunned the regime in parliamentary elections in July. Hun Sen relied, as usual, on his party’s control over the country’s electoral machinery and used state media to spread propaganda about how an opposition victory would lead to civil war. Nevertheless, Sam Rainsy’s party doubled its seats in parliament, falling just seven short of the 62 needed for a majority — according to the official vote count, which Hun Sen’s partisans controlled and which Sam Rainsy plausibly describes as fraudulent.

All summer, the opposition has pressed its case for an independent investigation of the election, through the courts and through peaceful demonstrations in Phnom Penh. Hun Sen, characteristically, has deployed his police and military to intimidate his people, leading to a clash last Sunday in which one civilian was shot dead by police and many others were injured. Less characteristically, he has agreed to talk with Sam Rainsy.

The situation is tense; in the worst-case scenario, Cambodia’s ruler would launch a crackdown as crushing as the one with which Burma’s generals met a strong opposition showing in that country’s 1990 elections. At the moment, Sam Rainsy is negotiating with the regime — while pressuring it through demonstrations and a threatened boycott of the parliamentary session set to begin Monday. The hope is that his strong election showing at long last provides Cambodia’s people with enough leverage to start a peaceful democratic transition. In the struggle, Hun Sen will undoubtedly count on his old friends in Beijing. The United States must stand no less firmly for a democratic process.
—
BÌNH LUẬN CỦA XÃ HỘI DÂN SỰ
The CPP See its Strategy Advanced with Uncertain Future
By ខែ្មរវឌ្ឍនកម្មwww.khmerwathanak.blogspot.com

Since it was installed by Hanoi as its proxy to rule Cambodia over 34 years, the CPP now faces a new reality for its invincible power for the first time. After the UN sponsored election in 1993, the CPP has continued to hold the power in the government without substantial opposition in the parliament, and now the balance of power has changed even the new government is expected to be the same as the current one. Even though the CPP has controlled nearly all aspects of the power structures throughout the country including the NEC and the CCC and massive efforts and extravagant spending on the election campaigns, the CPP has lost its 23 seats to the CNRP based on the current unfair election standard. But if it allowed the election to be free and fair, it would certainly lose its majority in the parliament undoubtedly. As most people suspected, the CPP had collusion with its controlled NEC to guarantee its victory no matter what. Now as the post-election crisis has reached its final stage, the CPP has used its new strategy by isolating and ignoring all the CNRP’s demands and forcing the King to open the first parliamentarian session without the CNRP’s participation. As the King faced an unpleasant choice to preside over the first parliamentarian session without the participation from opposition, who represent the majority of the people, has added another mess into the current crisis.

After two rounds of negotiation, the two parties have nearly reached some tentative agreements of reform in the national institutions most importantly the NEC, then they seemed step backward from those common ground. After successfully sailing through the legal battles from the CNRP with its controlled NEC and the CCC, now the Royal Institution is the CPP’s final tool being used to legalize its undeserved power for another five year term of oppression. The first session of the National Assembly with only one party and without the quorum required by the constitution is very unusual and a clumsy move by the CPP and the Monarchy. Constitutionally, the King represents and guarantee the national unity and reconciliation, while the national reconciliation has not been found yet and the King steps in to side with one party in a dispute is totally unacceptable to all people. This is how the King is being used by the CPP as a legitimate shield to cover up its corrupted power– the undeserved power they plundered from the hearts and the will of the people. This is the only way the CPP has done over the past 20 years in order to grip its power in a long run.

Now the post-election crisis has reach its final stage that needed some compromises from both parties, especially from the CPP which has shown no sign of compromise even delaying the first session of the new legislature that required by the Constitution for at least 120 new elected members, but the CPP has chosen to go alone with its 68 dubious members who won the election by trickery. The true elected members by the will of the people are being marginalized and kept out of the inaugural process by rejecting the postponement requested by the opposition who have needed more time to consult with their supporters based on the principle of democracy. So far, the CPP has moved forward to create a government alone without any input from the opposition, the CNRP which is a real winner. Any further move by the CPP to create leaderships and power structures in the parliament without the full participation from the CNRP will create a constitutional crisis adding to the current political stalemate. And eventually, it will push the country into a one- party system rule that is a gross violation of the Paris Peace Accord which Hun Sen himself had signed to change Cambodia from Communist system to a democratic system based on a multi-parties system of the government. In case of such a severe violation by any party on the accord, the UN and all the involved parties should take an appropriate action to enforce the violator to comply with what they had honored.

If the CPP has continued to ignore all reasonable demands, the CNRP may have no volition but to stage more mass protest until some of its demands have been met. Since the peace negotiation in late 1980, Hun Sen covertly backed by Hanoi has become a heavy weight at all negotiation tables. He had used his more leverages to gain upper hand over his opponents. In the late 1980, he had controlled much larger territory and more troops than the Khmer Resistance Group, giving him more leverages to force his opponents to make a painful concession before reaching a final peace accord signed in Paris. Later negotiation with the Forncenpec, he had deployed the same strategy by using his existing power to force the forncinpec, the winner of the election, to share half of the power in the government with him before he took over all by a bloody coup. There is no much different in the current crisis; Hun Sen has used his existing power to menace the King and the opposition by deploying excessive troops on the vicinity of the Royal Palace and on the streets, threatening the King if he delays the first parliamentarian session requested by the people and opposition.

The whirlwind of the CPP to compel the King to open the first session of the National Assembly without the participation of the CNRP’s members is explicitly violated the constitution which required at least 120 members of the newly elected members in this first session. Such an eerie move by the CPP will not help to reduce political tension but to escalate the situation into another utmost crisis. If Hun Sen and his CPP want to finish this crisis on their own will regardless of the constitution– the supreme law of the nation– and the will of the majority of the people, they will push the country into a deeper crisis not to end it unless they decide to bring the communist system to rule the country again. The only way to avert the country from the current crisis is to continue negotiating with the opposition to search for a common ground that is acceptable to both sides and leave all unsettled issues to solve in the future based on the spirit of placing Khmer interest above everything and the principle of democracy. Without adhering to this principle, Hun Sen and his CPP will never find a lasting peace and stability for the country and place themselves with uncertain future.
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THỜI SỰ: SUNDAY, 22 SEPTEMBER 2013: ĐẠIBIỂU QH ĐỐI LẬP TỰ TUYÊN THỆ TRƯỚC ĐỀN ANGKOR WAT
63 MP-elect from the opposition CNRP taking oath in front of Angkor Wat to always serve the people and the nation
PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) — Supporters of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) gathered Saturday south of the Royal Palace to present petitions to King Norodom Sihamoni, asking him to delay the National Assembly’s first session on September 23.

The petitions containing around 260,000 thumbprints also supported the opposition lawmaker’s boycott of parliament’s inaugural session.

The thumbprints were collected after CNRP leader Sam Rainsy sent a letter to King Norodom Sihamoni this past Friday, asking him to delay the parliamentary session until November.

In the request letter, Sam Rainsy said that the Cambodia National Rescue Party will not attend the first session of parliament as long as there’s no agreement reached between the two opposing parties.

Sao Chan Hok, a representative for the supporters of the CNRP who was also present during the hand-off, said that the office of the King had a car waiting which carried their 260,000 thumbprint petitions.
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BÌNH LUẬN CỦA ĐẠI SỨ MỸ CUỐI TUẦN ==
Staying the Course: Peaceful Democracy in Action
William E. Todd

Thanks to this column’s incredible readership, we have been able to explore some very timely and relevant issues to Cambodia. The questions and comments have been excellent, and I see that no one has held back. Please continue sending your questions, even your toughest ones, to me at AskAMBToddPP.

What the great American sportswriter Grantland Rice said about sports is equally true of politics, “When the great scorer comes to write against your name, He marks not that you won or lost but how you played the game.” Over the past week the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) have played the game well by beginning a dialogue — the essential element to putting democracy in action. We applaud the wise encouragement of His Majesty King Norodom Sihamoni which led the parties to meet three times over four days to work together towards a resolution. Chanthou from Takeo province asked, “What are the next steps towards resolving the political impasse?” The simple answer is: Dialogue, dialogue, dialogue. To illustrate why this is so crucial, it would be helpful to look at what Cambodia has accomplished in the last several months.

As I said in last week’s column, I am an optimist and I believe that progress and positive change are happening in Cambodia. In June, both sides campaigned aggressively to put their messages before the voters in the lead up to the national elections, and the campaign remained largely free from violence and intimidation that characterized earlier elections. Following the election, there have been a number of protests marked by non-violence and responsible, restrained policing. It is true that the CPP and the CNRP have yet to reach a settlement. Success, however, is not only measured by the result.

The road has not been easy. Last Sunday’s demonstration was overshadowed by the tragic killing of a young father, Mr. Mao Sok Chan, and the wounding of others on the Monivong Bridge. On behalf of the U.S. Embassy community, our sympathies go out to the victims and their families. It is perhaps such tragedies as these that serve to underscore the importance for a peaceful and nonviolent resolution to the current political impasse. We further believe that only a thorough and transparent investigation can help leaders and society to learn from the tragedy and prevent it from occurring again.
Despite setbacks, both sides are learning to put democracy in action. Three times last week the CPP and the CNRP demonstrated a willingness to engage in a dialogue by listening to each other and considering each others’ demands. On Monday, the opposing sides agreed to end the violence, reform the national election system, and continue their dialogue. When two parties set aside their differences and agree to sit across the table for a meaningful discussion, they demonstrate a respect for democracy that should be commended. The Cambodian government, by allowing the opposition to voice its concerns through peaceful demonstration – a key form of expression in any democracy – showed restraint and flexibility that encouraged a constructive dialogue. The CNRP likewise successfully organized a large yet peaceful demonstration in Phnom Penh. King Sihamoni recognized the importance of dialogue when he requested that the two parties meet face-to-face to resolve the impasse. Such discussions are far from simple. As Winston Churchill said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen.”

The parties will resolve this impasse through dialogue, discussion, and a commitment to non-violence. It is important to remember, however, that the dialogue is not only between the leadership of the two parties. It must include the people of Cambodia. The resolution, in whatever form it takes, must unite the country, not divide it. It must provide the political space for a meaningful opposition, where new ideas are proposed and dissent given voice. The new government also will need to undertake the necessary political and social reforms to ensure that every voter’s voice is heard, including Cambodia’s youth, for they are the future of this great country. As I noted last week, meaningful reform of the electoral system, access to media, and programs for the youth are critical. Some reforms, such as improving the procedures and composition of the National Election Commission, can be done immediately. The United States urges the leaders of Cambodia’s political parties to continue to work together for an outcome that serves the best interests of the Cambodian people. This moment in Cambodia is not a challenge but an opportunity to improve democratic processes and implement meaningful reforms which strengthen the rule of law and increase respect for human rights.

In closing, I think it is important to remember that the word “democracy” literally means “rule of the people.” As the parties continue to negotiate, they need to remember that they represent, not a party or ideology, but the entire country, both those who voted for them and those who did not. The United States is no stranger to partisan politics, but the key is focusing not on the things that divide you but on the things that unite you. As President Barack Obama said when he spoke against the partisanship of modern politics, “There are no red [Republican Party] states or blue [Democratic Party] states, just the United States.” At the end of the day, the great country of Cambodia is not made up of CPP Cambodians or CNRP Cambodians, but of all Cambodians.